2024 NHL Stanley Cup Predictions
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and this season has had plenty of exciting storylines. The Playoff race in the Eastern Conference came down to the final games of the season, with the Washington Capitals securing that final spot. Auston Matthews was chasing a 70-goal season but came just short, recording 69 goals in the best season of his career so far. McDavid and Kucherov recorded 100 assists this season, becoming just the fourth and fifth players to reach that incredible milestone.
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Eastern Conference
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Panthers ended up winning the Atlantic Division, recording 110 points and beat out the Bruins, who had 109 points. The Panthers were the better team this season, but the Lightning have that Stanley Cup pedigree. Stamkos, Point, Kucherov, Hedman, and Vasilevskiy have all been mainstays on the Lightning while they won a couple of Cups a few years ago. The Panthers defense and goaltending were spectacular all season and it is the backbone of this team. Bobrovsky posted a .915% save percentage, and Stolarz had a .925% save percentage. The Lightning had slightly more goals per game, 3.5, compared to the Panthers, 3.2. On defense, however, the Panthers only allowed 2.4 goals per game compared to the Lightning allowing 3.2. It should be an even battle on the ice, with neither team getting a home ice advantage, with both teams only a few hours apart.
Prediction: Bolts in 7
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The original six rivals meet again in the first round. These two storied franchises have had plenty of battles, but this is the first meeting between these teams in the playoffs since Boston won in 7 games in the 2018-19 season. We should see plenty of scrums after the whistle as this is shaping up to be a physical contest between two teams who do not like each other. Bruins star forward David Pastrnak had a great season, racking up 47 goals and 110 points. The Bruins goalie tandem of Swayman and Ullmark is what makes them extra tough to beat. Both goalies post a solid 2.5 goals against per game average. The Leafs will most likely be going with Samsonov in net to start the series. He had a good year, going 23-7-8 with a 3.1 goals against per game average. The Leafs lineup could still change with so many guys missing the end of the season on the Injured list. Edmundson, Domi, and McMann all played significant minutes this season and missed the last few games. Getting them back would boost the depth of the Maple Leafs tremendously. Can the Bruins make it past the first round after failing to do so last season, or will Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Taveras get it done and propel the Leafs to the second round or possibly farther?
Prediction: Leafs in 7
New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals
The Capitals get in on the last day of the season and they are greeted with the 114-point, President Trophy-winning New York Rangers. The Rangers are heavy favorites and for good reason, they average 3.4 goals a game compared to the Capitals 2.6. While also only giving up 2.7 goals per game compared to the Capitals’ 3.1. For the Capitals to win this series, they must generate more offense. Their defense is already very good and Lindgren in net has been great all season, boasting a 2.6 goals against per game average. On paper, all signs are pointing towards Panarin and his Rangers. All season they have been better than the Caps on the powerplay and the penalty kill. The Capitals do have a strong veteran presence and have won the Stanley Cup with a similar core group of players, but will that be enough to take down the team who earned the most points in the regular season?
Prediction: Rangers in 5
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
The Hurricanes are heavily favored to win game 1 and the series but the Islanders played them tough all season. They split the season series 2-2 and 3 out of 4 games were decided by 1 goal. This series, like so many, will come down to the goaltending. Sorokin may have had a down year for his standards but still managed a record of 25-19-12. If the Islanders get elite goaltending, they will have a real chance. The Hurricanes have received elite goaltending this season. Kochetkov had 23 wins this season and an impressive 2.3 goals against per game average. Frederik Anderson posted a gaudy 1.8 goals against per game average to go along with his 13-2 record. The Cane will be very hard to beat if they get that type of net minding for the whole playoffs. Sebastian Aho led the Hurricanes in both goals and assists this season and finished the year with 89 points. The Hurricanes are a very well-balanced team and the Islanders will have to work very hard to beat them 4 times in a 7 game series.
Prediction: Canes in 6
Western Conference
Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators
The Predators surprised some people this season, comfortably winning one of the wildcard spots in the Western Conference. Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, and Juuse Saros are the main cogs in this team. As they go, the rest of the teams go. Josi has been one of the best two defensemen in the league for quite a while now, playing great defense and also is great at creating for his teammates, as he racked up 62 assists this season. Saros was a workhorse for them in the crease, posting a record of 35-24-5 this season. The Canucks had a stellar season this year, recording 109 points. They get it done on both ends of the ice very well. They average 3.4 goals for per game while only giving up 2.7 goals against per game on average. Quinn Hughes had his true breakout season, as he posted an impressive 92 points and was a +38 for the Canucks.
Prediction: Nucks in 6
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
With the Kings win on the last day of the season, they move up from the wildcard spot and claim third in the Pacific Division. Edmonton took the series 3-1 and 6 total goals were only reached one time in those games. These teams play each other tight and in the playoffs, that trend is surely to continue. Zach Hyman benefited tremendously from McDavid’s 100-assist season as he netted 54 goals, a career-high, a difference of 18 goals from last season. Stuart Skinner deserves some credit for the success of the Oilers. When you think of the Oilers your first thought is offense but Skinner had a great season, racking up 36 wins and a 2.5 goals against per game average. Can Kopitar and his Kings make a push or will McDavid and his Oilers make a deep playoff run in the west?
Prediction: Oilers in 7
Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche
Two of the biggest stars in the league face off in this series as MacKinnon and Hellebuyck square off in what should be one of the best series in the entire playoffs. The Jets dominated the regular season series taking all 3 games these teams played. The Jets come into this game hot as well, winning 8 straight games. While the Avalanche won just 1 of their last 5 games. A huge factor in how far the Avalanche can go in these playoffs will be down to their goaltending. Georgiev had 38 wins this season, but he only had a .897% save percentage and a 3 goals against per game average. The Avalanche are averaging 3.6 goals per game compared to the Jets 3.1. Winnipeg however, only allows 2.4 goals against per game compared to the 3.1 the Avalanche give up on average. This should be a very intense series between two teams who have what it takes to make a deep playoff run.
Prediction: Avs in 7
Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights
The Stars had an amazing season, recording 113 points, which was good for the most in the Western Conference, and was just one back of the Rangers for the Presidents Trophy. Dallas may be the 1 seed, and Vegas is the final wildcard spot, but Vegas has what it takes to win the cup and this is a tough draw for the Stars. Vegas swept the season series between these teams 3-0. Holding the Stars to 2 or less goals in all 3 matchups. Oettinger has been very good for the Stars all year, racking up a record of 35-14-4. This is another tight series that could go either way.
Prediction: Knights in 7
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